Lifting coupler for containers



Fe b. 23, 1932. 5 OWENS 1,846,038

LIFTING COUPLER FOR CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 24, 1931 525 5 ]"[G.I 29 5 5 M 7 in H6: .H- Ilh 4. 5 i" 1 M I l Samaeilifiums;

a; FITORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 23, 1932 PATENT OFFICE IAIUIL I. OWEI'B, 01' AL'IOOF'A, PENNSYLVANIA.

LII'I'III'G COUPLER 1'01 CONTAINERS Application fled October 24, 1981.

By invention relates to lifting couplers and more particularly to lifting couplers which are adapted to be suspended from an overhead hoistin apparatus and which are especially use or handling shipping containers, such as less-than-carload-lot-containers, drop-bottom containers, demountable truck bodies or the like, at freight transfer ints.

'5 invention has for its object the rovision of a lifting coupler characterize by a rigid framework whereof the spacing members have capacity for len hwise ad ustment to vary the dimensions 0 the framework so that the lifting cou ler may be readily converted for use wi containers of varying sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a universal lifting coupler ada te to maintain the container'carried thereby free from all transverse or crushing strains, regardless of the distribution of weight inside the container. It is particularly desirable in designing or building containers to avoid all unnecessary bridging or cross-bracing in the roof or upper structure, thereby securing a minimum total weight of container and affording a greater load carrying capacity, which Is very important when loaded containers are placed on road vehicles for movement over roadways where maximum allowable weight limits are established.

Other objects and advanta es of the invention will be apparent from e description which follows hereinafter and which has reference to the accompanying drawings, in which there is illustrated one form or embodiment which the invention may take. Of the drawings:

Fig. I represents a plan view of a lifting coupler of my invention.

Fig. 11 represents a side elevation of the same, showing also a portion of a conventional form of container.

Fig. 111 represents an enlarged plan view of one of the corner angles of the frame of the lifting coupler shown in Fig. I.

Fig. IV represents an enlarged side view of the corner angle; and,

'3 and 4 of the framework of the lift' Serial Ho. 5703.

Fig. V represents an enlarged perspective view of the corner angle.

In the drawings there is comprehensively designated at 1 a portion of a conventional form of shipping container to which a lifting coupler of my invention is operatively attached. The coupler is shown suspended from a book 2 which may be assumed to comprise a part of an ordinary hoisting apparatus, such as a travelingcrane.

The lifting coupler shown in the drawings comprises generally a rigid framework of rectangular shape composed of side and and members 3 and 4, joined together b corner members 5 in the form of an les an a slin as designated at 6, whereby the cad is carried 5) the book 2 of the hoistin apparatus.

As shown in detail in I igs. III IV and V, each corner angle 5 is provided at its ends with nipples 7 of reduced thickness which fit within the adjacent side and end members 3 and 4 and which are fastened thereto by rivets 8. The corner angles 5 are further provided with integral ears 9 and 10 proecting respective]. above and below the framework. To t e upwardly projecting ears 9 the diagonal rods 11 of the sling 6 are pivotally connected by means of bifurcated termina [pieces 12 and pins25'. From the downwar 1y projecting ears 10 of thecorner angles 5, cables 13 are suspended, these cables having at their lower extremities rings 14 which are adapted for attachment to the lifting hooks 15 of the shipping container.

Adjustment of the side and end members coupler, by means of which the area of the ram may be varied to meet the requirements of varying sizes of containers, is achieved by sliding the telescopin tubular sections 16 and 17 of the side mem ers: 3 and the similar tubular sections 18 and 19 of the end members 4 within each other in the direction of their length. The interfitting tubular sections 16, 17, 18 and 19 are so gaged that they slide easil within each other without sacrifice of rigidity to the framework. When the proper adjustment has been made, the tubular side sections 16 and 17 and end sections 18 and 19 are locked together by means of pins 20 inserted through holes 21 which are placed at spacedintervals therealong. In an obvious manner the dimensions of the framework may be varied to suit varying sizes of containers by the selection of different holes 21 of the tubular sections 16 and 17 and of the sections 18 and 19 for registry with each other and the insertion of the pins 20 through these holes when they are brought in alignment by relative lengthwise movement of the sections.

The diagonal rods 11 of the sling 6 converge from the corner angles 5 toward the center of the framework where they are pivotally connected to a yoke 22 by means of pins 23, the connection being such as to permit changes in the angles of convergence within certain limits. In the present example of my invention, a two piece yoke 22 of well known form has been selected for illustration. The eye portion 24 of the yoke is suspended from the hook 2 of the hoisting apparatus.

The operation of the above described apparatus is as followsz-The lifting coupler is first adjusted to correspond in its dimensions substantially with the area defined between the hooks or other appliances foundat the top of the type of container with which it is to be used. This adjustment necessarily involves a change in the angular relation of the diagonal rods 11 to the framework, but after this adjustment has been completed, the liftin coupler becomes a rigid unit.

. \Vhen rea .y for operation, the coupler is suspended from a suitable hoisting apparatus and is carried to a position above a contalner to be transported. In case large containers are handled it may be found advisable to carry an operator on the frame of the lifting coupler. \Vhen the coupler has reached a position above the container, the ends of the cables 13 are fastened by the operator to the lifting hooks 15 of the container. Thereupon, by means of the hoisting apparatus the container is elevated and shifted bodily to its new location. During this movement the side and end members 3 and at of the framework serve as a spreader for the suspension cables 13, and the dia onal rods 11 serve as equalizing beams tending to maintain the load in a truly vertical position. Accordingly, when the container is deposited, as for example on the floor of a freight car, it falls squarely within the pocket provided for its accommodation.

While the apparatus herein described and illustrated represents one example or embodiment of this invention, it will be readily seen that various details of its construction may be altered without de arting from the spirit of my invention as de ned in the claims hereto annexed.

Having thus described my invention, I.

1. A lifting coupler for shipping containers or the like, comprising a rig1d framework whereof the members have capacity for lengthwise adjustment to vary the dimensions of the framework, and a sling including rigid composed of telescoping sections, corner members joined to said side and end members, and a sling including diagonal bars pivotally connected to said corner members.

4. A lifting coupler for shipping containers or the like, comprising a rigid framework whereof the spacing members have capacity for lengthwise telescoping adjustment to vary the dimensions of the framework, corner angles joining said spacing members, Sillld corner angles having ears integral therewith projecting above and beneath said framework. a sling including bars pivotally connected to the upwardly projecting ears of said corner angles, and means connected to the downwardly projecting ears of said corner angles adapted for attachment to the load.

5. A lifting coupler for shipping containers or the like, comprising a rigid rectangular framework having side and end tubular members composed of interfitting telescoping sections, and corner angles having nipples fitting within the ends of said tubular members and having integral ears projecting above and beneath said framework, a sling including diagonal bars pivotally connected to the upwardly projecting ears of said corner angles, and suspension cables connected to the downwardly projecting ears of said corner angles adapted for attachment to the load.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Altoona, Pennsylvania, this 15th day of October 1931.

SAMUEL H. OWENS. 

